Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN)

sign 120 Management of chronic venous leg ulcers

BACKGROUND

In 1998 SIGN published a guideline on the care of patients with chronic leg ulcer (SIGN 26). Since then several new therapies have been evaluated for their effect on healing rates and prevention of ulcer recurrence.

This updated guideline provides new treatment recommendations based on current evidence.

WHY WE NEED A GUIDELINE

Evidence of variation in both healing rates and recurrence rates of venous leg ulcers highlights the need for an updated evidence based guideline to support practice. Healing rates in the community, where around 80% of patients are treated, are low compared to rates achieved in specialist clinics.

A number of guideline recommendations provide opportunities for disinvestment in routine use of therapies for which there is insufficient evidence of benefit.

TARGET USERS OF THE GUIDELINE

This guideline will be of particular interest to patients, general practitioners (GPs), nursing staff (district nurses, practice nurses and specialist nurses in dermatology, wound management, tissue viability and rheumatology) dermatologists, vascular surgeons and plastic surgeons and pharmacists. It may also be of interest to podiatrists and physiotherapists.